Nikon D300s vs Nikon Z9

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D300s and Nikon Z9. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D300s were released 2009 and Nikon Z9 was released 2021. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D300s 2009
Nikon Z9 2021

Type of camera

Nikon D300s is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z9 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D300s has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Nikon Z9 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D300s 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon Z9 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D300s has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z9 has 46 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D300s 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848
Nikon Z9 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z9 has a 272 % larger resolution than Nikon D300s. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon Z9 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300s. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Nikon D300s has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D300s 200-6400
Nikon Z9 32-102400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D300s
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z9

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D300s can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z9 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D300s 7
Nikon Z9 30

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D300s and Nikon Z9 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon Z9 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 43% heavier than Nikon D300s and its 938 gr (or 2.07 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D300s 938 gr
2.07 lb
Nikon Z9 1340 gr
2.95 lb

Nikon D300s vs Nikon Z9 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D300s and Nikon Z9, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
Name Nikon D300s Nikon Z9
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
Release Year 2009 2021
Release Date 2009-07-30 2021-10-28
MSRP 1799 USD 5500 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS Full Stacked CMOS
Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 12,3 MP 46 MP
Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED 7
Image
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
ISO Range 200 - 6400 32 - 102400
White Balance Presets 12 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 6 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 493
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 920000 2088960
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3686400
Photography features
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
Frames per second 7 fps 30 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format Motion JPEG
H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash Express
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy)
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (Via app)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D300s
Nikon Z9
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
Battery Life (CIPA) 950 shots 740 shots
Width 147 mm 149 mm
Height 114 mm 150 mm
Depth 74 mm 91 mm
Weight 938 gram 1340 gram